Erith Town unveil Mark Tompkins as their new boss

ERITH TOWN have tonight unveiled Mark Tompkins has returned to manage the club for the second time.

The Kent League club took the decision to part company with James Collins following their 2-1 defeat at Corinthian on Saturday.

The Dockers slipped down to third-place in the table, with 38 points from 17 games, following their third successive defeat at Gay Dawn Farm.

Collins, 30, who was previously the club’s reserve team manager for three years, took over the reigns after Tony Russell and his assistant manager Ray Powell quit the club to take over at VCD Athletic at the end of October, despite the Dockers sitting proudly at the top of the table.

Collins was in charge for eleven games, winning two, drawing two and losing seven.

Tompkins, a former striker who played for the likes of Erith Town, Croydon, Bromley, Cray Wanderers, Fisher Athletic, Greenwich Borough among others, previously managed the Dockers from 2006 until the eve of the 2008-09 season.

He brought the Kent League Cup to Erith Stadium in 2008 after a 1-0 win over Hythe Town in the Final at Folkestone Invicta’s Cheriton Road.

Tompkins has since managed two Surrey clubs, Croydon (Kent League) and Chipstead (Ryman League Division One South).

He will bring former Charlton Athletic player Paul Gorman – who managed Erith & Belvedere between November 2006-December 2009 – as his assistant manager.

The pair will take charge of the team for the first time when Jason Lillis brings his Lordswood side to Avenue Road on Saturday.

A statement, which was published on the club’s official website said: “We wish Mark and Paul every success in their new roles.

”The club would also like to place on record it’s thanks to James who took on the job in circumstances that would have tested the most experienced of managers with several key players opting to accept approaches from the previous manager and move to VCD.

”James has played a vital role in bridging the gap between first and reserve teams in his time as manger of the reserves, working conscientiously to bring through youth players and providing valuable support to Tony Russell in his time in charge.

”He leaves Erith Town with nothing but our best wishes for the future.”

Erith & Belvedere presently lead the Kent League table with 44 points from 17 games.  VCD Athletic – who have won six games on the spin – are now in second with 39 points from 19 games, one point clear of Erith Town, who have a couple of games in hand.

Visit Erith Town’s website: www.erithtown.co.uk

Erith Town  v  Lordswood
Kent Hurlimann Football League
Saturday 16^th February 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Erith Stadium, Avenue Road, Erith, Kent DA8 3AT